E-mail alerts IUSB students to rape in South Bend

January 16, 2008|By NORA GATHINGS WSBT-TV Reporter

SOUTH BEND Â? A local college campus is on alert after a woman was raped and sexually assaulted.

South Bend police were called to a local hospital after the 19-year-old woman asked for a rape kit. They say she was raped once and sexually assaulted twice Wednesday morning just off IU South Bend's campus.

Police describe her statement as graphic and horrifying. They say she knew the men who raped and sexually assaulted her at a home owned by IU South Bend on Esther Street and then again at a nearby apartment.

The university found out and used an e-mail alert system set-up after the Virginia Tech shootings to warn other students.

Neighborhood watch signs are posted along the street, but another watch system notified students about the rape that happened on that same block.

"I got an e-mail from IUSB. Someone sent it to me this morning telling me about the rape," an IU South Bend student said.

"I saw it on the door when I was coming out of the library," said Christina Farrand, another student.

What they saw was a letter telling them what happened.

"This is a rare incident on our campus," said Ken Baierl, communications director at IU South Bend.

It gave the university a chance to use the e-mail alert system.

"A lot has happened on college campuses throughout the country that make you aware that communication is important and things could happen here," said Baierl.

"I'm glad they are stepping up and making all students aware so we can take extra precautions going out to our car," said Farrand.

Police say the woman was drunk at a party at a friend's home on Esther Street when four men she knew sexually assaulted her. One also raped her. She then left and went to a friend's Terrace apartment where two of the men sexually assaulted her again.

"It's kinda scary thing. You don't know who you are sitting next to in classes, so it's like one of them could be sitting next to you," said Farrand.

School officials say the victim was not an IU South Bend student. Police are not sure if the perpetrators are.

Police say they did collect evidence at the Esther Street home and feel confident they'll find the four men.

School officials say the students who live in the home could face disciplinary action for drinking in student housing where alcohol is not allowed.